Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries just dropped some exclusive news on the MeidasTouch Network: he’s challenging Donald Trump, JD Vance, Senator Thune, and even “MAGA Mike” Johnson to meet Democrats in public, on camera Friday at the Capitol to address the shutdown.
Rep. Jeffries and Sen. Schumer met with Trump earlier in the week, but Trump uncharacteristically refused to allow the press in—likely because he wanted to be able to put words in Democrats’ mouth over what they are demanding. Trump doesn’t want Americans to know that Democrats simply want Republicans to agree to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that already exist so they can continue to afford their coverage.
As we’ve reported, Trump has ordered Republicans not to negotiate, literally telling Democrats to “go f*** yourself.” And now, with the shutdown hitting day two, the lies are piling up. JD Vance just claimed he’s ready to meet with Democrats “any time,” but Jeffries called his bluff. I asked him point blank if he’d meet Trump and his MAGA enablers in front of the press, and Jeffries didn’t hesitate: “Absolutely. Any time, any place. And we want to make sure it’s fully transparent.”
Democrats are ready, Republicans are hiding. They don’t want cameras rolling because their position is indefensible. Their shutdown is about gutting health care. Jeffries laid out how families making $65,000 will see premiums triple, others making $85,000 will watch theirs skyrocket from $8,000 to $24,000. Add Trump’s tariffs on top, and you’ve got a recipe for financial ruin. It’s just plain cruelty.
Trump’s hypocrisy is glaring, per usual. He once said, over and over, that shutdowns are always the president’s fault. Back in 2011 and 2013, he blasted Obama for “failing to lead.” Now, again, Trump’s orchestrating the shutdown himself, telling Republicans not to talk, not to negotiate, and to “ride it out.” But the American people aren’t buying it. Polls show they overwhelmingly blame Trump and MAGA Republicans, while siding with Democrats on protecting health care by substantial margins.
This isn’t abstract politics. This is life and death. Millions of Americans could lose coverage, hospitals are at risk of closing, Medicaid and Medicare are under assault. Families will face bankruptcy. Some will die. Jeffries was blunt in saying this is “a fight for the lives” of everyday Americans.
So here’s the challengeL Jeffries and the Democrats will be at the Capitol, ready to meet Friday, in public, with the press watching. Will Trump, Vance, Thune, and Johnson show up? Or will they keep hiding behind staged pressers and photo ops with “Trump 2028” hats and posting racist AI memes?
The ball’s in their court.
Watch my interview with Democratic Leader Jeffries above. Remember to add the MeidasTouch Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Leave a 5-star review. We need your help in getting these messages out now more than ever. And consider joining now as a paid subscriber to this Substack to support our reporting.
